The inaugural recipient of a new “School Counselor of the Year” award is from Leon County.
Kelly Folmar of Leon High School won the honor, sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, the Florida Lottery and the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
“I think making sure (students) know who we are and (that) they can come see us at any point is our big first step,” Folmar told the Tallahassee Democrat. “The second would be getting them the information that they need and making sure they are aware of all the scholarships and opportunities and colleges.”
Folmar has served as a guidance counselor at the school since 2012. She earned her master’s degree and Education Specialist’s degree in counselor education/school counseling and guidance services from Florida State University.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Jeff Kottkamp said the award was established to recognize counselors who have made an impact on students and peers. The recipient receives a plaque, a $750 cash award and the chance to continue supporting a student’s future with a two-year Florida College Plan Scholarship.
“School counselors work hard every day to help our students overcome the challenges of life and challenges in the classroom,” Kottkamp told the Democrat. “This is a really important addition to our efforts to recognize people in the education space that are making a huge difference in the lives of our students.”
Members of Florida TaxWatch, LCS officials and staff members with the Florida Lottery and Florida Prepaid College Foundation gathered to honor and celebrate Folmar.
“Kelly Folmar is well respected by peers and colleagues alike. She is constantly meeting with students, working with their families, and helping them in any way she can. In her role as an experienced counselor with expert knowledge of adolescent development and college preparatory pathways, she provides academic advisement and support services to hundreds of students each year. She is an amazing resource for our school system,” Leon High Principal Scotty Crowe said.
Folmar gave a shoutout to the rest of her team at Leon, including three other counselors. At a later time, Folmar will select her student recipient of the two year scholarship and surprise them with the award.
“The students are the real winners here,” Folmar said. “And it is exciting to help guide their career path and witness both their short term and long term goals realized as they venture into the world.”
Alaijah Cross covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at abrown@tallahassee.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Leon High guidance counselor wins inaugural state award
Reporting by Alaijah Cross, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Alaijah Cross, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
